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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Res Completa: Giant Granny Square

Finally, at long last, I have entered the world of the crochet. I have dreamed of this moment since the cat ate those coasters I finally made after several tries, moments after completing the last round; since realizing the hat I had been laboring over was a wonky, lopsided mess; since failing not once, not twice, but thrice to get past the third round of this granny square pattern. Here it is: a successful crochet project. My heart sings.

Pattern: Granny Square, from the Purl BeeYarn: madelinetosh tosh sock (the orange), Dale of Norway Baby Ull (the dark grey), Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4-ply (the light purple at the end), and various bits of Koigu KPM (the rest of it)Hook: Size F, 3.75mmStart to Finish: May 16 - June 5, 2010

There are so many gorgeous versions of this pattern, with the original Giant Granny Square, by Joelle Hoverson of Purl Soho, leading them all. I had actually attempted this project last year, soon after the first one one appeared on the Purl Bee, but it ended in disaster. And then it took three more tries this time around before I got it right. It always started out ok, but somehow kept getting all ripply and huge after the third round. I ripped out, I tried different hook (ack! I keep writing "needle"!) sizes, but nothing ever worked. Then finally, one day, I LOOKED AT THE PATTERN. Ah. I was half double crocheting into every single space twice, rather than just once, then twice at the spaces in the corners. So reading a pattern is actually helpful! Who knew?!

For the edging, I chained three, then joined the stitch into the space between the half double crochets (my apologies for having no idea what I'm talking about here...I'm just making up terminology as I go). It adds a feminine touch, I think, and adding it used up all but, like, 1 yard of my purple yarn. Sweet.

I am so happy with how this turned out and hope it is just the beginning of a long and happy relationship with crochet. I'm sure the knitting will understand.

beautiful! I am a crocheter and a knitter and I too have a Granny square on the hook. Once you do it once, its sooo soo easy. I'm doing mine in my very own handspun of assorted natural colors. I'm not exactly going by a pattern though as I've made too many of these suckers over the years.

I'm glad to see you stepped into the world of being bi....knitter/crocheter...we like it all!

I love one-big-square granny afghans (and have made a couple myself, all in gapless single crochet. I was going for that mod pop-art look). What really has me gobsmacked, however, is your cream rug and furniture. Recipe for disaster in our house full of canine, feline, and human slobs.-- Gretchen

Congrats on the newfound relationship! It's a beautiful project.I too have been rather frustrated by our friend Crochet in the past. I think, if I were ever to pick up the hook any time soon, it would be for this project.I love your colour combinations! Fab :)